Sometimes, I liked it to get pressured at work because I get to find my way back on track and regain my focus. When I'm just comfortable most of the time, I tend to get complacent with my performance and I'm not aware that I'm slacking off sometimes. Pressure is sometimes good to push me back on track.
Just based from my experiences, though.
Complacency rarely brings exceptional results so, depending on the level of success one is looking for being a little pressured (in a good way) can help. As you say, it focuses the mind.